The world is commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June 1944 – but Allied Forces managed to invade Rome on 4 June 1944, two days before the Normandy landings, and liberated the Italian capital on 5 June 1944.

Allied troops had begun the push in Sicily and then headed to the mainland, landing in the south.

The Italian government signed an armistice with the allies quickly – the former Prime Minister Benito Mussolini had already been removed from office by then.

To mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of Rome, there will be a screening of the film Roma Città Aperta, directed by Roberto Rossellini, at the British School at Rome at 6pm.

You can see a trailer for the film at WantedinRome.com.

At 9pm, episode 17 of The World at War – Morning June–August 1944 – directed by Jeremy Isaacs and narrated by Laurence Olivier – will be shown. The film is in English.

If you are in Rome and would like to attend, more information is available at the British School at Rome’s website.

The address of the British School at Rome is Via Antonio Gramsci.

WWII touched every country and every family – so let us always remember those who fought and gave their lives so that we could live in freedom and peace.

And let’s also think about all those still struggling to live in freedom and peace today and those who are fighting to liberate them.